NUAKCHOT, Mauritania – The government of the Canary Islands is expanding its “Tierra Firme” (Solid Ground) initiative in Mauritania, launching a novel construction training program for 20 young men. The program, inaugurated on February 18, 2026, aims to equip participants with skills for employment in the building sector and address the root causes of irregular migration by creating economic opportunities within the country. This expansion of Tierra Firme underscores a growing commitment to collaborative development and workforce training in North Africa.
The initiative comes as the Canary Islands continue to grapple with migration flows from West Africa. Officials hope that by providing viable economic alternatives in Mauritania, they can reduce the incentives for young people to undertake dangerous journeys across the Atlantic. The program focuses on practical skills – including formwork, concrete pouring, steel reinforcement, and mortar rendering – alongside basic maintenance skills like plumbing, electrical function, painting, and tiling. The goal is to create a workforce ready to meet the demands of both local and Canarian companies operating in Mauritania.
“With this project, from the Canary Islands we contribute to creating quality employment in Mauritania, betting on training that benefits both local companies and Canarian companies that are in this territory and curbing the brain drain,” said Octavio Caraballo, Vice Counselor to the President’s Cabinet, following the inauguration in Nouakchott. Caraballo emphasized the importance of empowering local populations to contribute to their own economies and futures.
A Comprehensive Curriculum for Sustainable Employment
The Tierra Firme course will combine three months of theoretical instruction with a three-month practical internship. Participants will learn to execute construction tasks according to blueprints, apply traditional and modern mortars, and adhere to safety standards. The curriculum likewise includes a module on job searching and entrepreneurship, providing participants with key skills in decision-making and collaborative work. Local experts will guide the entrepreneurship component, offering insights into starting a business in Mauritania. A two-week module on building maintenance is also included, broadening the participants’ professional profiles and increasing their employment prospects.
Beyond Construction: Supporting Women in Mauritanian Fashion
The Canary Islands’ commitment to Mauritania extends beyond construction. Octavio Caraballo also highlighted the work of Mauritanian designers participating in the “Clúster de Moda” (Fashion Cluster), a project supported by the Canarian government and facilitated by trainers from Tecno Textil of the Femepa Foundation. This initiative supports 45 designers with digital skills training, business management tools, online marketing, and e-commerce expertise. The government provided the designers with computer equipment delivered at the finish of last year, alongside medical and sporting goods.
The Fashion Cluster aims to promote local talent and create economic opportunities for women in Mauritania, encouraging them to remain in the country and contribute to its development rather than risking the perilous Atlantic Route. The project recognizes the potential of the fashion industry to generate sustainable livelihoods and empower women economically.
Expanding the Tierra Firme Model Across Africa
The Tierra Firme project has already trained over 500 young people in Senegal and Mauritania, and the Canarian government aims to extend the program to Gambia and Cape Verde. The initiative is designed to combat irregular migration by providing viable and sustainable alternatives through training and quality employment opportunities. The program’s success is rooted in public-private cooperation, with courses tailored to the actual labor demands of companies operating in these countries.
According to Caraballo, five Tierra Firme courses are planned for 2025-2026, with three taking place in Senegal, involving a total of 60 students. The new Mauritanian course builds on a pilot program launched in the first half of 2025. The courses are delivered by instructors from the Fundación Laboral de la Construcción de Las Palmas, in coordination with the Mauritanian Ministry of Vocational Training and the École d’Enseignement Technique Professionnel de Nouakchott (EETTPP), with support from Mauritania Gateway.
The Tierra Firme initiative represents a long-term investment in the future of Mauritania and the broader region, offering a pathway to sustainable development and a reduction in the drivers of irregular migration. The program’s focus on practical skills, entrepreneurship, and collaboration between public and private sectors positions it as a model for addressing complex challenges in North Africa.
The next phase of the Tierra Firme project will focus on monitoring the employment outcomes of the recent graduates and refining the curriculum based on feedback from employers and participants. Further updates on the program’s expansion to Gambia and Cape Verde are expected in the coming months.
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